VFT and AHP Approach to Selecting the Best Option in Decision-Making at PLN: A Case Study in the Cawang-Gandul Project

PLN EIC is one of PLN’s business units and is responsible for the development of electrical infrastructure in the working area of DKI Jakarta, Banten Province, and its surroundings. One of the national strategic projects included in the PLN is the 500 kV Cawang Baru II/Cililitan-Gandul transmission line project, with a COD target of 2026. The delay in the completion of this project and the non-fulfillment of stakeholders’ expectations will certainly have a broad impact on the operation of the electricity system, the impact on PLN’s financial performance, the social impact, the environmental impact, as well as the direct impact on the performance and image of PLN EIC. This research aims to assist management in making decisions related to the best transmission line design for the Cawang-Gandul project so that project completion can be on time and in accordance with stakeholder expectations. In this research, several methodological approaches were used to gain a broader and more complete understanding. The Problem Tree Analysis approach, combined with brainstorming and structured interview techniques, was used to explore business issues. Two complementary approaches, namely Value-Focused Thinking (VFT) and the Stakeholder Analysis method, are used to formulate stakeholder expectations and will become guidelines for formulating alternative strategies. Using a structured interview technique, 4 alternative strategies were formulated in the form of the transmission line design, namely (1) Compact Lattice Tower, (2) Underground Cable, (3) Combine Design (Compact Lattice Tower + Underground Cable), and (4) Steel Pole Tower. The next methodological approach uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to determine the best transmission line design, which is then analyzed using AHP Super Decision software. The results of this research show that the Underground Cable design is the best design alternative that can be implemented in the Cawang-Gandul project with several advantages, namely minimal social conflict, easy implementation, and a relatively faster work process. The final stage of research is to make an implementation plan.